The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and Malta held activities in Malta’s capital of Valetta from February 21-23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Malta diplomatic ties (January 14), VNA reported Sunday.

President of Malta George Vella received the Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy and Malta Duong Hai Hung at San Anton Palace. Photo: VNA

Receiving the Vietnamese ambassador to Italy and Malta Duong Hai Hung at San Anton Palace, President of Malta George Vella expressed his delight at and support for the coordination between the Vietnamese embassy and Malta's partners to organize activities marking the 50th anniversary of the two countries' ties, thereby helping consolidate friendship and political trust and strengthen economic and cultural relations and people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and Malta.

Ambassador Hung said that the activities aim to consolidate traditional friendship between the two countries as well as develop potential cooperation opportunities in all fields.

President of Malta George Vella and the Vietnamese Embassy delegation. Photo: VNA

A “Vietnamese Film Day” on February 21 was held with the screening of the movie “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass” by director Victor Vu at Spazju Kreattviv National Cinema.

The film was Vietnam’s only representative at the TIFF Kids International Film Festival, part of the Toronto International Film Festival in April 2016. It bagged the best film award at the second Silk Road International Film Festival and the Golden Kite at the Vietnam Film Festival in 2015.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Hung emphasized that in addition to economic and political cooperation, culture, education, tourism, cinema, and art exchanges serve as a bridge to help enhance mutual understanding and consolidate traditional friendship between the two countries' people.

At the Vietnamese Film Day. Photo: VNA

On behalf of Malta's Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government Owen Bonnici, Executive Chairman of the Malta Arts Council Albert Marshall conveyed a congratulatory message to the event, while highlighting the significance of the "Vietnamese Film Day" in Malta, believes that cultural and cinematic art activities not only introduce the beauty of culture, country, and people but are also the power to connect two peoples closer together.

MP Michael Farrugia, former Minister of Home Affairs and Minister for Family and Social Solidarity of Malta, also shared his feelings and good impressions towards Vietnam, saying that Malta welcomes the integration of the Vietnamese community into Maltese society and hopes that many similar cultural events will be held to further promote Vietnamese culture and beauty in Malta.

The film screening attracted a large number of guests, film lovers, friends, and the Vietnamese community in Malta, bringing to the audience gentle and humane messages about people and culture as well as promoting the beauty and tourism of Vietnam, he said.

At the Vietnam-Malta cooperation forum. Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, on February 22, the Vietnamese Embassy coordinated with Malta's economic agencies to organize the Vietnam-Malta cooperation forum.

Delegates at the forum spoke highly of the potential for cooperation between the two countries in the context of the dynamic economic development of both sides. They made specific proposals to boost the two countries’ cooperation, particularly in trade, such as footwear and garments, maritime, marine economy, finance, English training, tourism, health care, and labor export.

During his working trip to Malta, Ambassador Hung visited and worked with the director of the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) located in Malta.

He wished the IMLI to continue to support training and capacity enhancement for Vietnam through granting scholarships and cooperating in organizing specific professional training courses.

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